David in Taji, Iraq, 2004
Before David’s first birthday he learned to growl like a bear, which would frighten is older sister. He delighted in making her scream before he walked. From a young age he also delighted in gift-giving. When he was at Clark elementary in Portland, he would save his money and use it to find the perfect Christmas gifts for everyone in the family, including his Grandparents.
He joined the Boy Scouts and loved earning badges, camping and learning to be patriotic.
He played soccer and baseball, ran track and was on Benson’s swim team in high school. He also played the saxophone from Middle School through High School. Once he got a taste of playing in the marching band for the Junior Rose Festival Parade in Portland, his goal was to be in every Rose Festival parade, which he accomplished. Win!
He studied architecture at Benson Tech and was a serious student in every subject. He was an editor for the school newspaper. He had a hidden gift in writing poetry. He graced me with a beautifully written poem about me on Mother’s Day when he was sixteen.
He went to church with his family, loved teaching the two year old Sunday School class and most of all, he loved Jesus.
David bought his first car his senior year, a white ’64 Malibu. It was his cherished baby.
He was serious about higher education, but couldn’t decide what to study. Being one who didn’t like to waste time, he joined the Army for four years, serving as a Chaplain’s Assistant. After his military commitment came to a close, he began his college career at Portland State University, studying Criminal Justice and Psychology and Business. At that time he also coached the St. Mary’s High School swim team with a fellow Benson graduate.
Missing the structure and discipline of the military, he joined the Oregon National Guard. In 2003, while in his junior year at PSU, he was deployed to Iraq for one year. He thoughtful, gift-giving ways didn’t stop once he was in a hot war zone. He ordered flowers online for me for Mother’s Day! I was astonished that he had the time to remember to celebrate the occasion. He cared deeply for the Iraqi children and wrote home requesting school supplies for them.
His older sister, Elizabeth, planned her wedding in August 2004, during his fifteen day leave. It was a treasured gift for our entire family to gather for the celebration. David was home until the end of August. We were allowed to walk him to his gate, to say our final goodbyes. Two weeks later, while out on patrol in Taji, his Humvee was hit with an IED. David and the driver, Ben Isenberg were both killed instantly.
We have a large plastic container filled with letters, many of them from his fellow soldiers and higher commanders. They tell us of the most squared away soldier they had ever worked with. They spoke of their respect and admiration of David and about his laugh that could be heard across the entire mess hall. The men in his unit were thankful for the small bit of respite they enjoyed because David had purchased a projector to watch movies during breaks and time off from patrol.
He was generous, kind, thoughtful and humorous. He had a quick, dry wit. He never stopped finding ways to make his sister scream.
He cared deeply about the marginalized, the unseen, children and education. His Portland employer, Barry Schlesinger, started a scholarship in his name at Portland State University.
On his grave at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, the city he loved, we have Gentle Warrior etched on granite stone.
My love for David continues to grow and I miss him with every fiber of my being.